This study was designed to investigate the associations among motives and physical activity behaviors and health in urban college students in China. Eight hundred and eighty-seven college students (521 females; Mage = 20.51, SD = ± 1.67) were recruited from four universities in South and South-central China. Participants’ motives (i.e., interest/enjoyment, competence, appearance, fitness, social) toward to physical activity behaviors were measured by the established Motives for Physical Activities Measure (Ryan et al., 1997), while physical activity behaviors were assessed via the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaires for Chinese (Macfarlane et al., 2007). The data were collected in June 2016 and 2017. Participants’ total metabolic equivalent (METs) was calculated as the outcome of physical activity behaviors. On average, participants reported 412 METs (SD = 290.82) of physical activity for the prior week. Correlation analysis suggested that all motive components were moderately or highly correlated with one another (r = 0.37 - 0.74; p < 0.01), and these variables were significantly, yet modestly, related to physical activity behaviors (r = 0.12 - 0.24; p < 0.05). Regression analyses further indicated that the whole model explained 24.5% of the variance [F (5, 394) = 5.02, p <.01] when using motives to predict physical activity behaviors. Interestingly, participants’ interest/enjoyment was the only significant and positive predictor for their physical activity (β = 0.23, p < 0.01). Findings suggest that Chinese college students were relatively physically active on a weekly basis. Students’ interest/enjoy toward physical activity is a very important motive in promoting physical activity behavior among this population. Health professionals and educators are encouraged to offer a variety of interesting and enjoyable activities for Chinese college students with the goal of helping this population develop and maintain a physically active lifestyle.

Guided by the Transtheoretical Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982), this study investigated the differences of physical activity levels and correlates (i.e., self-efficacy, decisional balance, process of change) across different stages of change levels among Chinese college students. The relationships between students’ physical activity correlates and physical activity behavior was also examined. The participants were 887 college students (365 males; Mage = 20.51, SD = ± 1.67) recruited from four universities in south and south-canter China. Participants completed a battery of established questionnaires assessing their physical activity correlates (self-efficacy, decisional balance, process of change) and 1-week physical activity levels. Results suggested that Chinese college students in the high stage of change group reported significantly higher physical activity levels and correlates than those in the low stage of change group. Pearson correlation analyses suggested that students’ self-efficacy was moderately related to other correlates and physical activity behavior. Yet, decisional balance and process of change were only modestly associated with physical activity levels for both groups. Regression analyses further revealed students’ self-efficacy emerged as the only significant contributor of their daily PA levels across the two groups. However, decision balance and process of change failed to predict physical activity levels. The implications for practice and direction of future research were discussed.

Guardian Caps: What’s the Impact?

Reported sport-related concussion rates have dramatically increased recently. In response, the Guardian company has emerged as a leading manufacturer of soft-shell helmet covers. The “Guardian Cap” is a foam padded covering that fits over a helmet that aims to reduce the impact of collisions and lessen the chance of a concussion. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived effectiveness of using Guardian Caps in preventing concussions in youth and high school football players. In addition, this study also examined reported coaching strategies used in the attempt to reduce concussions with these athletes. United States high school and youth football stakeholders (e.g., coaches, athletic directors, youth football presidents, etc.) completed an online survey containing Likert-based and open response questions focusing on the main research goals. On average, participants reported a 40.5% decrease in concussions per year after transitioning to using Guardian Caps with their youth or high school football players. However, 16.2% of participants would not recommend the use of Guardian Caps, citing concerns such as helmet warranty worries, helmet bulkiness, product malfunctions, and expense. Moreover, several additional methods participants’ used in an effort to keep players safe from concussions are also discussed. Findings may assist youth and high school football coaches and athletic directors in making informed equipment and coaching decisions regarding player safety focusing on reducing concussions with their players.

“Mind Blown” – Including Exercise Science Students as Research Assistants to Reduce Ageist Perceptions

The amount of older adults is increasing rapidly and the demands of an aging population will need to be met by professionals in many fields, including exercise science. However, many undergraduate students do not want to work with older adults. Therefore, this qualitative study sought to examine the experiences and perceptions of exercise science students who served as research assistants in a six-month walking program for senior citizens. Students recognized that their previous ageist views about older adults’ functioning (which originated from personal experiences, education, and society) were challenged by the walking program. Subsequently, more positive views on aging, being an older adult, and working with older adults were elicited by their assistance in the research study. Results from this investigation suggest that exercise science and allied health students be exposed to aging-sensitive experiences to dispel ageist perceptions and ultimately increase the workforce needed to serve this expanding population.

The Feasibility of Using the Super Tracker Website for Behavior Changes in the Adolescent Population

Ebony Taylor1, Diane Cuy Castellenos1

1 Department of Health and Sports Science, University of Dayton, USA

Abstract

Research suggests technology such as health websites may be a viable way to effect lifestyle behavior and promote health. Several websites utilize self-monitoring of physical activity and diet as well as provide health-related education as a method to impact behavior. One such site is the Super Tracker tool on ChooseMyPlate.gov, created by the United States Department of Health. The site was created to encourage healthy diet and physical activity within the US population. Therefore, the aim of this original research was to examine the acceptability and feasibility outcomes of a self-monitoring physical activity intervention delivered by the Super Tracker website among inner city adolescents. A total of 26 students volunteered for this feasibility study. The website incorporates goal setting, self-monitoring of physical and dietary activity. Focus groups were conducted to assess the participants’ perceptions of the intervention and the application performance. Results suggested that the website intervention was feasible and acceptable to adolescents and may be utilized as an integral part in behavioral interventions for this specific population.

A recently validated trait personality framework is the HEXACO (honesty-humility, emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience). Little is yet known about how the HEXACO personality dimensions and its subsets – particularly the dimension of honesty-humility – relates to physical activity and body size dissatisfaction as a function of gender. This study tests these relations across men and women through a proposed path model wherein personality and physical activity relate indirectly through lower body size dissatisfaction and perceived fitness in 315 university students. Results pertaining to honesty-humility revealed that women were higher in honesty-humility, emotionality, and conscientiousness. Women with higher honesty-humility (notably sincerity) were prone to lower body size dissatisfaction whereas lower levels of modesty predicted physical activity levels in men. The proposed path model had an excellent fit in both men and women although significant pathways were more prevalent in women than in men. The role of body size dissatisfaction seems to be more salient in explaining the relationship between the HEXACO personality dimensions and perceived fitness and physical activity in women than men. We recommend that practitioners particularly note the vulnerability of women university students who are high in emotionality and low in honesty-humility (especially sincerity) and agreeableness.

1 Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, USA 2 School of Health Studies, University of Memphis, USA 3 FitNexx, Memphis, USA *Represents Graduate Student at the time of the study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of a 4-week classroom physical activity break intervention on middle school students’ health-related physical fitness. The study was a randomized controlled trial with students assigned to the experiment and control conditions. A convenience sample comprised 94 adolescents (experiment group n = 52; control group n = 42) (48 females, 46 males, age range 11 to 15 years) from four classes in one school in the mid-south United States. Intervention was delivered with an Xbox One Kinetic system to minimize teachers-dependence when delivering the intervention. In addition, to acknowledge students’ poor treatment adherence, which can occur in school-based intervention studies, analyses were conducted to both the intention-to-treat group and the students’ who reached the 66.7% attendance rate benchmark. Analysis of covariance test results showed that for the intention-to-treat group there were no significant intervention effects on cardiovascular endurance (F[2,82] = 2.58, p = .112), upper body strength and endurance (F[2,84] = 3.55, p = .063), abdominal strength and endurance (F[2,82] = .01, p = .973), or flexibility (F[2,71] = .48, p < .489) tests. In addition, the analyses comparing the high attendance group to the control group showed that intervention had a moderate significant effect on students’ cardiovascular endurance (F[2,52] = 23.95, p < .001, η2 = .30) and a small effect on abdominal strength and endurance (F[2,52] = 3.24, p = .049, η2 = .08). The results of this study highlighted the importance of school students’ adherence to program to achieve intended and planned intervention benefits.

The Relationship between Chinese High School Students’ Implicit Theories of Ability in Sports and Perceived Enjoyment in Physical Education

According to theory, students’ implicit theories of ability can affect their motivation and engagement in physical education (PE). Limited research has been conducted to examine the relationships between implicit theories of ability and motivation and engagement among K-12 students in PE. Our study examined the relationship between implicit theories of ability and perceived enjoyment in PE, and explored whether there were any gender differences in implicit theories of ability and perceived enjoyment in PE. A package of surveys was administered to 252 Chinese 12th graders. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, correlations, and MANOVA. Chinese 12th grade participants endorsing higher incremental views in ability were likely to enjoy PE more. Male participants showed stronger beliefs in incremental views and enjoyed PE more than females. It was suggested that PE teachers may be able to enhance students’ enjoyment by focusing on incremental views. This is, ability in sports can be increased dramatically by effort and hardworking.

Objectively-Measured Physical Activity Levels in Physical Education among Homeschool Children

Despite a growing population of homeschool children in the United States, little is known regarding their physical activity (PA) levels. Without access to physical education, homeschool children may engage in inadequate PA levels. The purpose of this study was to objectively examine the activity levels of homeschool students participating in a Physical Education program. Seventy-two homeschool children (19 girls) participated in a once-weekly structured Physical Education program over a four-month period with a subsample of children participating in basketball. Pedometers/ accelerometers provided steps/session while accelerometers provided percentage of time in sedentary behavior (SB), light PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Children spent 69.7%, 18.9%, and 8.6% of their time in SB, LPA, and MVPA, respectively. A significant moderate correlation (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) between pedometer- and accelerometer-measured steps/session was found. Significant group differences among SB, LPA and MVPA, and steps/session were only present for steps/session (β = 0.49, p = 0.02) with a marginally significant difference seen for MVPA (β = 3.6, p = 0.07). No significant gender differences were seen on percentage of time in SB, LPA, or MVPA. Results indicated that participation in a Physical Education program may contribute to increasing PA levels of homeschool children. It is recommended that future programs focus on increasing time spent in MVPA.

Promoting Children’s Physical Activity in Physical Education: The Role of Active Video Gaming

Approximately half of the children in the United States do not meet the global physical activity guidelines, and many children adopt sedentary lifestyles. Given the fact about two-thirds children are classified as overweight or obese, traditional video games have been blamed as a major contributor to children’s sedentary behavior and excessive weight. However, active video gaming is a new solution to fight increasing sedentary behaviors and childhood obesity. The major purpose of this study was to review the prevalence of sedentary behaviors in children and examine the factors contributing to the trend of decreasing physical activity in children. The second purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which video games are used by children and potential benefits associated with active video gaming, specifically to promote physical activity in children. The additional purpose was to offer an argument for educational professionals in the school setting to integrate active video games as a way to combat sedentary behaviors and obesity utilizing the self-determination theory and expectancy-value model as theoretical frameworks.